Automatic train-control track element



April 13 1926.

c. s. BUSHNELL AUTOMATIC TRAIN C ONTROL TRACK ELEMENT Filed Dec.

FlCil.

' A TTORNE Y.

Patented Apr. 13, 1926. I

- UNITED STATES PATEN T. .oF lca'a cHARLEs s. BUSHNELL, or ROCHESTER, NEw YORK, AssIGNon. 'ro oaaNEismI.,j-RAI WAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF GATES, NEw YORK, A coRPoEArIoN OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN-CONTROL TRACK EL E HENT.

Application filed December 7, 1921. Serial No. 520,688,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES S. BUSHNELL,

a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Train-Control Track Elements,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mounting or structure for supporting, enclosing and pro tecting track influence elements or devices employed in train control systems.

In automatic train control and cab signaling systems, it is necessary to communicate control influences from the trackwa'y to the moving trains at the proper time and thereby set into operation suitable apparatus on the'train which may bring the train to a stop or impose some other form of automatic control. In systems of this kind it, is believed expedient to communicate such influences by magnetic or electro-magnetic induction, rather than by physical contact between devices along the track and coopcrating devices on the moving train. In certain types of such inductive systems insulated coils, suitably associated with the partial magnetic circuit of the track element are controlled by suitable devices, such as relays of track circuits, and the like, whereby the controlling condition of the track element maybe changed to correspond to the con;

' ditions of the track. Such track elements are continually exposed to'the weather, subjected to severe jar and vibration due to moving trains, and are liable to be hit by the dragging equipment of passing'trains;

, and in order that such track elements may giye reliable service, which is one of the es sentia ls of any useful. train control or signaling. system, it is important to properly mount and house them.

With these and other considerations in mind, one of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide aistructure for supporting and enclosing track elements a -of the type mentioned, which, while cheap and easily installed or replaced, will protect the coils and a core of the element from weather, dragging equipment and other injurious agencies, and will at the same time allow the element to perform its proper,

function.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description mm 66 gresses.

In describing the invention in detail, ref.- erence will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a traclr element 6b and its mounting, part of the mouldable material being omitted for clearness;

Fig, 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken on the 6 line 33 in Fig. 1.

In the particular embodiment of the present invention illustrated, the track element T,consists' of a core 1 of a general U-shape which may be constructed ofsteel and be 7 permanently magnetized, or which may be constructed of soft iron which will not hold its magnetism. If a soft iron core is used, it is preferably made of laminated ma:

terial whereby the efl'ectof eddy currents is reduced, thus making it more quickly re sponsive to a change of magnetic flux density when the magneto-motive-force or reluctance is varied. The upstanding ends of.

the U-shaped core are provided with coils 2 which are wound and connected in series and. in a manner act togetherin producing or opposing the passage of ,fiux through the core 1. These. coils 2 may be connected in anenergized circuit or not, which current 35 may be normally open or normally clfosed,

depending on what particular kindo car equipment is used in connection therewith, in each case the opening or closing of 'the circuit changing'the condition of the track element to transmit the desired control influence to the moving vehicle. To each end of the core 1 is fastened by screws, rivets, or the like,.a pole piece 4 of suitPble thickness, solidor laminated, and preferably of reetan lar shape and considerably larger than "t e face of the core whereby the area of the flux'emitting face is considerably increased.

No matter what specific form of the track element is used, whether. the core thereof is permanently magnetized or not, in each case i the core comprises a partial magnetic circuit which should not be disturbed or bridged by magnetic material; and consequently any housing or mounting for such track element should be constructed of nonmagnetic material. Also, the track element should be firmly secured in place and supported so as to be maintained in a definite relation to the track rails; and for this reason it is preferred to make the frame or casing 5 of a suitable non-magnetic metal, preferably a manganese steel casting. For ordinary service it is considered best to support the track element directly on top of the ties, either between the track rails, or on the outside thereof, depending on the type of system and the disposition of the cooperating car equipment. When the track element is to be supported between track rails, as shown the frame or casing 5 is made shallow so as not to project so high as to be struck by any-fixed parts of the rolling stock, the upper face of the track element being ordinarily on a level with, or slightly below, the treads of the track rails.

The casing or frame 5 is formed with a central opening to receive the core 1 and its coils 2, and on account of the size of the coils and the elongated pole pieces 4 this opening is of a general I-shape in the partic ular construction shown. This opening is surrounded by a flange or web to strengthen and stiffen the frame 5. While this opening may be closed at the bottom with an integral wall or separate plate of suitable material, which does not have to be non-magnetic, for ordinary uses the frame rests directly against the top of a tie.

The ends of the frame 5 are sloped or ramped downward, as shown in Fig. 2, and also have their edges converging. The up-' per surface of these ends may be flat or rounded, or otherwise suitably shaped to form approaches that will lift up or deflect sidewise any drag ing brake equipment and thereby prevent t e track element and its mounting from being torn up or injured by such dragging equipment.

These sloping ends are hollow and provided with a re-enforcing rib 6, thereby economizing in the amount of material necessary and also affording pockets through which Wires may be led from the I-shaped opening into a conduit 7 extending under the sloped ends of the frame 5. This structure or frame 5 is provided with lugs for supportin the same on three tiesby suitable spikes or ag screws 8, thus facilitating the maintenance of the track, since the ties may be replaced one at a time without-disturbing the position of the track element.

he coils 2 are referably impregnated with a suitable insu ating compound by the usual vacuum process of impregnation, are taped or otherwise suitably covered, and are further preferably coated with a thick layer of some suitable compound having insulating and moisture resisting properties, and also possessing a consistency such that it will not soften or flow at the ordinary temperature to which the track element is subjected. The lamina of the core 1 and the pole pieces 4 may be painted, or otherwise suitably treated, so as to resist the injurious effects of moisture and gases. A track element is set in the opening in the frame 5. The lead-imwires 9 and 10 are brought through holes extending from the I-shaped opening under the approaches or sloped ends of the frame 5, so that they may be con nected through the conduit 7 to suitable circuit controlling devices controlled in any suitable manner. With the track element T in this position plastic material 11, comprising a composition of sulphur, graphite and stones, or concrete or the like, is poured in the frame 5 and moulded around the track element, thus firmly holding it in place and protecting it from the weather and other harmful agencies.

The mounting or housing for the track elements is cheap, rugged, durable and of a construction that is easily installed. The sloping and converging approaches tend to lift or divert any object that is apt tostrike it, such as dragging braking equipment of a moving train, or the like. It should also be noted that while the coils and core of the track element are efficiently housed and protected by a casing having the necessary strength and rigidity, this casing does not detract from the magnetic properties of the tack element and does not prevent it; from performing a desired function of transmitting flux in a definite path or loop through the coils. The desired fixed relation between the track element itself and its protecting case is established and maintained by aplastic material which takes care ofslight variations in the size of the parts.

This plastic and mouldable fastening is obviously far superior to any mechanical fastening, such as bolts, pins and the like, which, among other things, are quite likely to loosen-or even break under the severe shocks and vibration to which the device is subjected by the passing of trains.

The particular shape of the manganese steel casting, the size and disposition of the core and its coils, and various other detailed features of the specific construction illus trated are susceptible to considerable adaptations and modifications in practice, de-

pending on the particular type of system and practical working conditions. Such modifications will be evident to those skilled in this art without detailed illustration and description.

Having thus illustrated and described one specific form of my invention, I desire l influence from the trackway to the moving vehicle in a train control system comprising, a non-magnetic casing, a track element in said casing coated with a thick layer of insulating compound, and plastic material moulded between said casing and element to firmly hold the element in position.

2. A mounting-"for supportingttr'ack :elements of inductive train control systems comprising, a box-like structure of nonmagnetic material having downwardly sloping and converging hollow approaches, and

means for bringing control wires through V the side of said structure under said approaches.

3. A box-like structure for mounting track elements of train control systems, comprising, a frame of non-magnetic material having a large opening therethrough, a railway .tie under said opening to form a bottom for said structure, inclined approaches for said structure, and means for leading wires from said structure under said inclined approaches.

4. A structure for supporting track elements of train control systems comprising, a frame having alarge opening of general I-shape extending therethrough, said frame having sloping and converging approaches on opposite sides of said opening.

ductive influence communicating means for train control systems comprising, a magnetic core of general U-shape having a coil thereon, insulating compound surrounding said I core and 'coil, a non-magnetic casing, and

mouldable material surrounding said element for holding it in vertical spaced relation with said casing.

6. A structure for supporting track elements of train control systems comprising,

a frame having sloping approaches and constructed of non-magnetic material, and lugs on said structure for receiving anchoring means spaced substantially the distance of adjacent railway ties of the; usual construction.

7. A track element andimounting for train control systems of the inductive type comprising, a casing of non-magnetic material, a track element in said casing 'con- 'sisting of a core of soft iron having a coil thereon, insulation surrounding said coil,

and concrete moulded between said casing and element to firmly hold the element in position in said casing. y

5. A track element and mounting for in- 8. A. mounting for track elements of inductive train control systems comprising, a casing of non-magnetic metal having converging ramped ends. a

9. A mounting for track elements of inductive train control systemscomprising, a frame of non-magnetic metal having a central opening to receive a track element, and

a tie below said opening to form a box-like mounting.

10. A mounting for track elements of illductive train control systems comprising, a

shallow frame of non-magnetic metal fastened to the top of the ties, sloping hollow approaches built integral with said frame, each of said approaches being provided with a reenforcing rib on the underside thereof.

11.. A mounting for track elements of inductive train control systems comprising, a casing of manganese steel having ramped ends and a central opening to receive a track element.

12. In a track device for communicating controlling influences from the trackway to moving trains, the combination with a nonmagnetic metallic casing, a track element in said casing including a magnetic core and coils, and la stic material filling the space between said track element and casing.

13.. In a track device for communicating 9 controlling influences from the trackway to communicating trains, the combination with a non-magnetic metallic casing, a track element in said casing and having coils thereon impregnated with an insulating compound, and concrete moulded between the casing and track element. I

14. A trackway device for inductively communicating controlling influences to a suitable "car-carried influence receiving de- 106 vice when such receiving device passes by such trackway device comprising, a 'U- shaped core of laminated magnetic material,

a ,coil on, said core, pole pieces of magnetic material secured to the ends of said core, 110

and a housing of non-magnetic material inclosing said core and coil in a manner so that the top face of said pole. pieces are flush with theupper surface of the top of said housing.

15. A trackway structure for intermittent inductive train control systems comprising, the usual pair-of spaced track rails, a U- shaped laminated core terminating in enlarged pole pieces flush with the top of said rails and disposed crosswise of said rails, a coil on said core, a housing of non-magnetic material for inclosing said core and coil to protect the same against the detrimental effects. of moisture, and ramped approaches type comprising, a box-like structure having two pairs of oppositely disposed Walls, sloping ramped approaches disposed adjacent to one pair of said walls, re-enforcing ribs near the edges of the approaches and extending downwardly therefrom to form inverted pockets, one of said last mentioned Walls being provided With' an opening to permit lead-in wires to run from said box-like structure into one of said pockets.

17. An influence communicating device for automatic train control systems comprising, a non-magnetic casing, a U-shaped core of magnetic material terminating in enlarged pole pieces supported in an upright position in said casing, so that the top faces of said pole pieces are flush with the upper surface of the top of said casing, a coil on said core, and means including said casing for protecting said coil against exposure to the atmosphere. I

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

CHARLES S. BUSHNELL. 

